Cigarette packaging machine



Jan. 31, 1961 T. E. GRADE ETAL 2,959,631 Y CIGARETTE PACKAGING MACHINEFiled March 9, 1959 6 Sheets-Sheet I FIG.1

INVENTORS T. EDGAR GRADE JOHN JACKSON ATTORN EY Jan. 31, 1961 T. E.GRADE ETAL CIGARETTE PACKAGING MACHINE 6 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed March 9,1959 w nvvzzvrons GRADE JACKSON R A G D E T JOHN ATTORNEY Jan. 31, 1961T. E. GRADE ETAL CIGARETTE PACKAGING MACHINE 6 Sheets-Sheet 3 FiledMarch 9, 1959 INVENTORS' T. EDGAR GRADE JOHN JACKSON ATTORN EX Jan. 1, 1T. E. GRADE ETAL 2,969,631

CIGARETTE PACKAGING MACHINE Filed March 9, 1959 6 Sheets-Sheet 4 FIG. 10

' 156 a lid 15a 16, jar Z60 FIG.11

D AR GRADE BOEIN JACKSON ATTORNE Jan. 31, 1961 Filed March 9, 1959 T. E.GRADE ETAL CIGARETTE PACKAGING MACHINE 6 Sheets-Sheet 5 FIG.14

INVENTORS' EDGAR GRADE TJOHN JACKSON Y @Lad fM ATTORNEY.

Jan. 31, 1961 T. E. GRADE ETAL CIGARETTE PACKAGING MACHINE 6Sheets-Sheet 6 Filed March 9, 1959 INVENTORS 1: EDGAR GRADE JOHN JACKSONBY M 4 vATTORNEY CIGARETTE PACKAGING 'Iullio Edgar-Grade, Bronx, andJohn Jackson, Brooklyn,

'N.Y., assignors to American Machine :&"FoundryCo., a'corporation of NewJersey Filed Mar. 9, 19s9,'ser. No. 197,947

20 Claims. cr ss-192 'The invention relates to improvements in packagingmachines, and more particularly to a packaging machine adapted toenclose articles; such as, cigarettes, in paperaccess opening providedat anupper cornerin the top -of the carton for removal of the articlesandreclosing of the container.

United States Patent board containers having a movable slide closure foran In accordance with the present invention there is pro,

vided mechanism for forming paperboard cartons having a ,slide closure,about a series of traveling hollow turretmounted mandrels. The blankfrom w hich the carton is formed is provided with an elongated minor endfiap hav- -ing side extensions or. cars which, in. the finished pack Iage, project through slits provided in the major panelsat the topthereof, The ears assist in supporting the elongated minor flap formovement into and out of an access opening and closing position, andalso provide means by which, by pushing the slide one 'way or the other,the' carton may be opened or closed. The invention'is char.- acterizedby the provision of novel folding and tucking .-means operative tospread out the major end flaps so that the minor flap having the supportextensions can be moved Patented Jan. 31, 1961 side extensions enablingthe user to move the slide 010- sure to open and close'the package.

An added object of the present invention is to provide in a packagingmachine for forming paperboard cartons of the aforementioned type on aseries of hollow turretmounted mandrels, including novel folding andtucking 'jrnea n 's for spreading the major end flaps of the cartonwhereby the minor flap which forms the side closure having extensionsfor supporting it in operative position in package.

It is an object of this invention to provide, in a packaging machine forforming a succession of cigarette packages on a series of hollowmandrels mounted on an endless conveyor; such as a turret, novelmechanism for forming the. bottom wall of the finished package whereinthe bottom folders and tucker mechanisms are moved in timed relationshipto prevent crushing of the package formed.

A further object of this inventionis to provide novel folder and tuckermechanisms for-forming the bottom wall of a package, the tuckermechanism being provided 'with recesses, and operating mechanism forgperating the tuckers and folders in timed relationship, with thereinwardly between the spread major flaps, "Me-ans .is'then I providedfor folding the top cover flaps toform the top of the package.

Also included is a novel cutting knife, operative to sever the minorflap with the extensions from the body proper of the package, after ithas been -folded into proper position, so that when it is desired toopen the package f-for removal of the articles therein the exten'sionsonthe minor flap may be utilized to slide the lidformedby the minorflapinto open position, the package being. closed by returning theminor flapto its original position by means of these extensions.

The invention is further characterized by the provision ofnovelmechanism for actuating the bottom tucker. and folder units suchthat these units may be moved in timed relationship to prevent crushingor deforming of the bottomof the package formed.

Bronander Patent Numbers 1,875,986 and 1,926,192

1 and Arelt Patent Number 2,378,457 disclose suitable packaging machineswhich can be converted by means of havthe present invention, to makepaperboard cartons ing a slide closure. 7 a

It is therefore anjobject of the present invention to provide wrappingmechanism having a series of moving --h'ollo'w turret mounted mandrelsand novel means asso- "ciated' therewith for wrapping paperboardcartonblanks w'about the mandrels, including novel means'formanipulating the flaps to insure proper disposition of an elongatedminor slide closure flap-between opposed major flaps during the wrappingoperation.

;ces ses in the tuckers-accommodating the free passage of the folderpermitting coacting movement therebetween wherebythe bottom wall of thepackage is formed without crushing or deformation.

Other objects and features ofthe invention will appear as thedescription of the particular physical embodiment selected to illustratethe invention progresses. In the accompanying drawings, which form apart of this specification, like characters of reference a have beenapplied to. corresponding parts throughout the several views which makeup the drawings.

Figure 1 is a partial front elevation of a cigarette packaging machineembodying the present-invention. v Figure 2 is a side elevation of thetoptucking units and their operating mechanism.

Figure 3 is a side elevation partly in section, illustrating the slidetab severing mechanism. 1 p

Figure 4 is a sectional and elevation taken on line 4-4, Figure '3. v

Figures 5, 6, 7 and 8.are isometric views; illustrating the successivesteps in folding the minor top flaps of the Itis a further object ofthis invention toprovide'mecha'ni sm for forming a cigarette packagefrom a pre-cut paperboard blank having a movable topslide "closure toprovide an access opening at an upper corner of the a carton, andwherein the slide closure is provided with Figure 10.

cigarette package.

Figure 9 is a side elevation view, partly in section, of the means forfolding the major cover flaps.

Figure 10 is a rear elevation illustrating the bottom folder and tuckerunits and their operating mechanism.

Figure 11 is a plan view of the mechanism shown in ,Figure 12 is-adetailed viewpartly 'in section, of the operation of bottom folderandtucker units.

.Figure 13 is a perspective view 'of the mechanism shown in Figure 12.

Figure 14 is a view taken along line '14-.-14, Figure 10'.

igure 15 is a front elevation of mechanism for operj ating the bottomtuckers and folder, and package stacker.

Figure 16 is a side elevation of the mechanism shown in Figure 15.

Referring to Figure 1, there is illustrated. a cigarette asedesr to beformed. With each of the mandrels 14 is associated an upper clamping arm16 and lower clamping and folding unit 18.

In the structure illustrated, there are twelve working stations onturret 12. These are designated for convenience by Roman numeralscorresponding to the hours on a clock.

In the step-wise operation of the packaging machine of which the presentinvention forms a part, while an empty mandrel 14 is indexed fromstation XII, the package ejecting station, toward station III, asuitable length of foil wrap F is formed about mandrel 14 and held inplace thereabout by upper clamp arm 16, in a manner similar to thatdescribed in the aforementioned Gwinn Patent 1,885,910. As afoil-wrapped mandrel 14, is moved toward station III, a pre-cutpaperboard blank B from which the outer box-is to be formed, is

fed transversely into the path of travel of mandrel 14 as it moves intoposition at station III. Blank B is provided with a securing flap 20,the outer surface of which has had suitable adhesive applied thereto andwhich has been folded upwardly as shownat station 111, Figure 1, in theblank feeding means (not shown).

As the mandrel 14 with blank B therebeneath is moved from station III toIV, the cup or trough shaped lower clamping and folding unit 18 is movedupwardly under its associated mandrel 14, bending blank B against thesides of mandrel 14 into a general U-shape along scored lines betweenthe front and side panels of blank B.

At station IV, blank B is wrapped about mandrel 14 in a generallytubularor sleeve-like configuration. To

' permit blank B to be folded about mandrel 14, upper clamp arm 16 ismoved temporarily out of position adjacent mandrel 14. As clamping arm16 is moved out of position adjacent mandrel 14, connecting rod 24actuates lever 26, moving finger 28 into position adjacent-;;

the top of mandrel 14 maintaining the foil wrap F about mandrel 14 untilblank B has been folded thereabout. Finger 28 isprovided with anextension 30 which is operative to partially fold rear panel 22 of blankB into position againstthe top of mandrel 14 along a score line betweenthe side'and rear panels of blank B. Side clamps 32 and 34 are thenactuated by shaft 35 and its associated linkages andare moved intoclamping position against the sides of mandrel 14 maintaining blank Bthereagainst. It will be understood that clamp meme ber 32, in movinginto position against the side of mandrel 14, insures that securing flap20 is positioned against the top of mandrel 14. (See Figure 1.) A rearpanel folding unit 36 secured to and moving with side cl'mp 34 completesthe folding of rear panel of blank B into position against the top ofmandrel 14 and overlapping 1 securing flap 20. 'Side clamps 32 and 34and panel folding unit36 and their operating mechanisms may 'be similarin operation and construction to those disclosed in Arelt Patent No.2,344,666 and further disclosure thereof is omitted in the interest ofbravity. As a mandrel 14 with blank B wrapped thereabout moves fromstation IV to station V, upper clamp arm 16 is moved back to itsclamping position against the top of mandrel 14, maintaining blank B inplace about mandrel 14 and I ensuring adhering of the rear panel 22 tosecuring flap 20. Atistation-V, the tucking and folding operations forforming the top of the package are accomplished. As

mandrel 14 is moved into position at station V with blank B wrapped andsecured thereabout, top tucker unit 38 is actuated by mechanism to bedescribed in detail hereinbelow and moves inwardly to engage and tuckend or minor top flap 40 of blank B downwardly against the end ofmandrel 14, about a score line (not shown). Top tucker unit 38 isprovided with two side extensions 42 and 44 having cam surfaces 41 and43 which operate to spread side or major cover flaps 46 and 48 of blankB while tucking top flap 40 into position adjacent mandrel 14. (SeeFigure 6.) Bottom tucker unit 50 is then actuated by mechanism to bedescribed in detail hereinbelow to tuck closure flap 52 into positionagainst the end of mandrel 14, overlaying flap 40. Flap 52 is detachablysecured to blank B. In the blank B shown it is attached at two points.58 and 60, along out line 61, and is folded thereabout by unit 50. Flap52 is provided with cars or extensions 54 which are to be positioned inguide slots or slits 56 provided in the front and rear panels. Flap 52thus forms the slide closure for the package and flap 40 supports thesliding movement of closure flap 52 in slits 56.

The spreading of cover flaps 46 and 48 by cam surfaces 43 and 41respectively is operative to hold cover flaps 46 and 48 out of the rangeof operation of tucker unit 50 in folding flap 52 into position on flap40, thereby preventing ears 54 from being crushed against the top edgesof cover flaps 46 and 48 and facilitating the entry of cars 54 intoslots 56.

Further, tucker unit 38 is provided with lower cam surfaces 49 whichfacilitate folding down of flap 40 and folding out of cover flaps 46 and48; preventing any crushing or damage to these carton members.

Top cover flap 46 is then folded into position against the top ofmandred 14, overlaying flaps 40 and 54, by folder unit 62 actuated by alever 63 fulcrumed on a shaft 64. Lever 63 is actuated by a suitablemechanism (not shown); such as, a'cam and follower. The top of thepackage is completed as mandrel 14 is moved from station V to stationVI. Top cover flap 48 is folded into position against the top of mandrel14, overlapping top cover flap 46 by being moved past stationary folderunit 66. (See Figure 9.)

Referring to Figure 2, top and bottom tucker units 38 and 50 areoperated by a cam 68 mounted on a shaft 70, driven from the main driveof the machine (not shown). Cam 68 is provided with a cam track 72 whichengages a cam roller 74 mounted on a lever 76 fulcrumed on a shaft 78.The other end of lever 76 is pivotally connected to a connecting rod 80.The other end of connecting rod 80 is pivotally secured to the lower endof lever 82, the other end of which is secured to one end of shaft 84rotatably mounted in a portion of the main machine frame 83. A secondlever 86 is secured at its upper end to the other end of shaft 84 and isrotatable therewith. The free end of lever 86 is pivotally secured tothe lower portion of block 88 to which lower tucker unit 50 is securedas shown in Figure 2. Another lever 90 is also pivotally attached at itslower end to the upper portion of block 88. The upper end of lever 90 inturn is secured to one end of a second shaft 92 rotatably supported inframe 83. Lever 94 is secured at one end to the other end of shaft 92'and is 96 while the upper end of link '96 is pivotally secured to oneend of a lever 98 fulcrumed on shaft 100 secured in frame 83. The freeend of lever 98 is pivotally secured to the lower portion of block 102to which top tucker unit 38 is secured. Another lever 104 is pivotallysecured at one end in the upper portion of block 100 and at its otherend on shaft 105 secured to frame member 83.

In operation, astmandrel 14 is moved into position at station V, lever,76 is pivoted about shaft 78by the action of cam roller 74 travelling incam track 72. The

gpivoting oflever 76 moves connecting rod 80 in the direction of'arrow Cin Figure 2. Thus connecting rod 180 pivots lever82' and shaft 34'inaclock-wise direction,

as viewed in Figure 2. This movement of shaft 84 operates to pivot lever86 secured thereto in the direc- I tion of arrow 'D, Figure 2, movingblock 88 and bottom .tucker unit 38 from their non-operative positionillustrated in full in Figure 2 upwardly and outwardly toward operativetucking position. The movement of block 88, in turn, operates to pivotlever 90 "and shaft92 in the direction of arrow D also. The rotation ofshaft 92 thus pivots 'lever 94 in a clock-wise direction as viewed inFigure 2. This movement of "lever 94, it will be understood, moves link96 upwardly, thus pivoting lever 98 about shaft 100 in the directionofarrow E in Figure 2. This movement of lever "98 operates to move block102 and top'tucker-unit 50"from their nonoperative vposition illustratedin full in Figureu2, downwardly toward operative tucking position. Itwill be I understood that members 104 and 90 are. included for thepurpose of insuring generally parallel movement of tucker units 38 and50 to and from operative position.

As cam roller 74 continues its travel in cam track 72, the movement ofconnecting rod 80 is reversed by lever 76, thereby reversing themovement of the operating mechanisms for tucker units 38 and 50, movingtucker units 38 and 50 from operative tucking position shown in dottedlines in Figure 2 to non-operative position illustrated in full lines inFigure 2 to await the next successive mandrel 14 with a blank B wrappedthereabout.

Referring to Figures 5, 6, 7 and 8, it will be seen'that Referring toFigures 1 and 9, stationary folder unit 66 is provided with a rollermember 67 adjacent the path of travel of mandrel 14. Roller 67 isprovided to en- ,surethat top cover flap 48 will be properly folded intooverlapping position on flap 46 to which has been applied a suitableadhesive area a, as shown in Figures 5-8.

Folder unit 62 is provided with a suitably recessed portion 61 (Figure9) and extending folder portion 65 which is operative to fold cover flap46 into position, overlying flaps 40 and 54, without disturbing adhesivearea a. In addition stationary folder unit 66 is further provided withan adjustable set screw 69 which limits the length of travel of folderunit 62 as it moves into position to fold down cover flap 46.

In the embodiment of the invention illustrated, and as shown in Figure 3at station VI, flap 52 is completely severed from blank B to provide afreely movable slide closure for the package formed. This isaccomplished preferably by means of a knife 106 mounted on a block 108.Block 108 is secured to one end of a reciprocating plunger 110. Theother end of plunger 110 is fixed to a carriage 112 slidably mounted forreciprocating motion on spaced rails 114 secured to the main machineframe (not shown).

It will be understood that flap 52 may be severed from blank B at anysuitable station and by any suitable severing means or, if desired, flap52 can remain connected to blank B and severed by the eventual user ofthe completed carton.

To actuate carriage 112 for movement along rails 114, carriage 112 ispivotally connected by stud shaft 116 I to the lower end of link 118.The other end of link 118 is pivotally connected to the lower end of agenerally V-shaped lever 120. The upper end of lever 120 is pivotallymounted on a shaft 122 securedin a portion'of the main machine frame. Topivot lever 120 'a'b'outshaft 122, a link 124 is pivotally connected atone end to lever adjacent the mid-point thereof.

'The other end of "link 124 ispivotally secured 'tobne end ofan'actuating lever 126, the other end of which is tion, as viewed inFigure 3, by shaft '128 from the position'shown in phantom toward theposition illustrated in *full lines. 'Aslever 126 is so rotated, link124, lever 120 and link 118 are moved by their connections toward theright as viewed in Figure 3. This has the "eifectof slidin'g "carriage1'12 toward the right, thereby movingfplun'ger 110, "block108 and-knife106 from a 15" dwellposition'at the rear of turret 12, into the open endof 1nandrel'14. As Shaft128continfles to rotate 'lever 126, knife 106which has now "been moved entirely through mandrel 14 severs points 58and 60 whichco'ninec't it to a side panel of blank Band therebycompletely freesflap'52 from blank B. A ledger plate 130 is "secured toa suitable bracket 132 on the frame of the machine to provide aresisting'force for knife 106, ensuring a clean severing of flap 52. Inaddition, block 108,

'3. The continued rotation of lever 126 operates through 'theconnections described to reverse the movement of carriage 112 therebyreturning it to the position shown in broken lines 'in Figure 3 andwithdrawing plunger 110,

. block 108 and knife 106 from within mandrel 14 to await 35 the nextsuccessive mandrel to be delivered to station 'VI.

At station VII, a second plunger 129. mounted on bracket support 134 oncarriage 112, is movable'with plunger 110 into a mandrel l4 indexed tostation VII. This second plunger 129 is provided with a'presser block131 which again applies pressure against cover flaps 46 and 48, furtherensuring complete adhesion therebetween and a rectangular cross-sectionof the formed carton to prevent jamming or binding of closure flap 52during operation thereof. In addition, in the event that the severed endof flap 52 has been pushed outwardly from the end of the formed cartonby knife 106 at station 'VI, block 13-1 moving against a second ledgerplate 133 carried by bracket 132 at station VII is operative to urgeflap 52 back into position in the end of the formed carton. I

Likewise, at station V, another plunger is mounted on a bracket (notshown) which is similar in construction and operation to bracket support134, and which extends from station VI to station V. Plunger 125 is thusmovable with plunger 110 into a mandrel 14 at station V. Plunger 125 isprovided with a presser block 127 which, in moving into mandrel 14against the foil-wrapped end thereof, is operative as a back-up platefor top tucker units 38 and 50 and, further, block 127 ensures that 'thefoil wrapper is maintained in wrapped position at the end of mandrel 14during the top tucking operations. In addition, block 127 is operativeto align the sides of the formed carton to ensure a freely slidableclosure flap 52. When the wrapped mandrel 14 advances on turret 12, tostation IX, filler materials M are moved into the-hollow mandrel 14 bysuitable means (not shown), but which may be similar in design andconstruction to the inserting means disclosed in those patents referredto hereinabove. The materials illustrated are cigarettes, but othermaterials; such as cigars, confectionery, pharmaceuticals, pencils,crayons and the like are also suited to this type of packaging. Mandrel14 with material M therein is then indexed into position at the ejectionstation XII. At this station, it will be understood, the carton isfilled but open at the end adjacent turret 12.

Referring to Figures 10, 11, 12, 13 and 14 the mecha* interfere withtheir meshing. have minimum clearance at the beginning and end of nismfor closing the open tubular end of the package consists of tucker andfolder mechanisms supported by a pedestal 135 secured to the mainmachine frame (not shown). To the latter are mounted two pairs of guidebars 136 and 137. Bars 136 support a slidable guide plate 138 while bars137 support a slidable guide plate 139. Guide plate 138 is reciprocatedby a bell crank lever 140 connected to said plate by a link 141. Lever140 is loosely mounted on a shaft 142 and is operated by a connectingrod 143.

Guide plate 138 is secured to lower plate 145 which is employed to pushthe packages delivered from mandrel 14 at station XII, the ejectingstation, of turret 12, into the delivery chute which consists of a pairof side guide rails 146 and a bottom guide plate 148 (Figure l),suitably supported on the machine frame by a bracket (not shown).

Guide plate 139, through a link 140, is reciprocated by a bell cranklever 152 also loosely mounted on shaft 142, lever 152 being operated bya connecting rod 154. Upon the reciprocating guide plate 139' is mounteda generally U-shaped folder plate 156 having operative spaced foldingextensions 157 employed for the purpose of folding over generallyU-shaped flaps 45 of the package after the initial tucks are completedby a pair of generally L-shaped swinging tuckers 158.

Each of the tuckers 158 is adjustably attached to one of a pair ofextension bars 160 which forms part of an oscillating shaft 162, each ofwhich is supported by a bearing bracket 164 adjustably fastened topedestal 135. To the end of each shaft 162 is adjustably attached a gearsector 166, both sectors meshing with each other when their centerscoincide with the centers of shafts 162-.

The gear sectors 166 may be adjusted a small distance radially towardeach other on their shafts after the latter have been adjusted away fromeach other a corresponding distance.

Following such adjustment the radial distance from the shaft centers tothe gear teeth at the middle portions of the segments will be slightlyless than the radial distance to the gear teeth at the ends of thesegments, because the gear sectors are not concentric with the shaftcenters but have a greater pitch diameter, but this will not The meshingteeth will each working stroke even if the tuckers 158 and shaft 162have been adjusted as described, thus giving the tuck- (em a definitelocation and assuring a sharp fold, as all free play is eliminated atthese portions of the working stroke. One of the sectors 166 is providedwith a lug 168 which carries a stud 170 to which is pivoted a connectingrod 172 which imparts oscillating motion to the gear sectors 245.

The packages are completed with the exception of the top end folds, onmandrels or arbors on the turret of a cigarette packaging machine suchas described in the above mentioned Patent 1,926,192 to W. B. Bronander.The completed packages with the top end still open are ejected fromtheir associated mandrel 14 at the ejecting station, station XII, of theturret 12 and are pushed in a horizontal position between bottom guideplate 148 and top guide plate 174 respectively, of the tucking andfolding unit. A stationary and a horizontally reciprocating side guideplate 176 and 178, respectively, are provided to secure the straightentry of the package between plates 148 and 174 in the proper locationfor the tucking and folding operations. Plates 176 and 178 also servethe purpose of giving additional support to the top and edges of thepackage on which the tucking and folding mecha nisms operate. Top plate174 is fastened to an abutment 180 mounted on a suitable support 182.Abutment 180 is arranged to engage the entering end of the package whenthe same is properly located as described hereinbelow.

Referring to Figures 15 and 16, there is illustrated theactuatingmechanism for connecting rods 143, 154 and 172. Rods 143, 154 and 172are pivotally connected at their free ends to one end of cam levers 184,186 and 188 respectively. The free ends of cam levers 184, 186 and 188are loosely mounted in common on shaft 190 suitably secured in the frameof the machine. Cam lever 188 is provided adjacent its mid-point with afreely rotatable cam roller 192, which is positioned to travel in camtrack 194 of cam 196, as shown in Figure 15. Cam lever 186 is providedadjacent its mid-point with a freely rotatable cam roller 198 which ispositioned to travel in cam track 288 of cam 202. Cam lever 184 isprovided adjacent its mid-point with a freely rotatable cam roller 204,which is positioned to travel in a second cam track 206 in earn 202.

Cam 196 is mounted on cam shaft 208 by means of key 210 and rotatestherewith in the direction of the arrow (Figure 15). Cam shaft 208 isdriven by suitable drive means (not shown). Cam 202 is freely mounted oncam shaft 208 but is secured to cam 196 by means of bolts 212 androtates therewith. Bolts 212 are positioned in arcuate apertures 214 asshown in Figure 15, thus cams 196 and 202 can be shifted on cam shaft208 relative to each other by changing the position of bolts 212 inapertures 214. The relative displacement of cam tracks 194 and 286, oncam shaft 208 permits movement of both operating rods 172 and 154 at thesame time. Thus, folder plate 156 is advanced toward the package andfolds the end flap 45 into position before tuckers 158 have been movedcompletely out of contact with ends 41 and '43 for reasons set forthhereinbelow. It will be further understood that a shifting of cams 202and 196-relative to each other on cam shaft 208 varies the timing of theoperation of connecting rods 154 and 172 in any desired amount.

As the package is ejected from turret 12, side guide plate 178 moves inthe direction towards mandrel 14, meets the package and then travelswith the same, stopping in a position illustrated in Figure 10, whilethe package is pushed in between plates 148 and 174, until the bottomend of the package reaches the abutment 180. The bottom end of thepackage is still open and tuckers 158 swing inwardly as illustrated inFigure 13, and tuck flaps 41 and 43 as illustrated in Figure 13. As thetucking operation is completed and tuckers 158 are being moved in thedirection of the arrows indicated in Figure 12, the folder plate 156advances toward the package and folds the protruding end flap 45 ontothe tucked ends 41 and 43 of the package.

It will be understood that folder plate 156 folds en flap 45 intoposition while tuckers 158 are still in contact with flaps 41 and 43holding them in tucked position.

Flap 45 is provided with a suitable adhesive area b for securing thebottom of the formed carton and folder plate 156 is provided with spacedfolding extensions 157 to fold flap 45 without disturbing adhesive areab. (See Figure 13.)

Tuckers 158 are preferably L-shaped and each is provided with operativefolding ears or extensions 159 and suitably shaped recesses 161. Bars159 operate to fold flaps '41 and 43 into tucked position and to holdthem there as flap 45 is folded into overlying relationship therewith.Recesses 161 accommodate the free passage of folding extensions 157 andthe corner positions 53 of flap 45.

The timed co-action between tuckers 158 and plate 156 is made possibleby the particular shape of tuckers 158 and folder plate 156 wherebyclearance is provided for free passage therebetween, permitting thecoacting movement described hereinabove. Thus the flaps 41 and 43 aremaintained in position against the bottom of the foil-wrapped pack untilflap 45 has been positioned in overlying position thereagainst. Thisprevents sp ringbac of flaps 41 and 43 after tuckers 158 are returned tonon-operative position. Such spring-back might cause a crushing of thecarton when folder plate 156 advances to fold end flap 45 into place.

Further, the timed relationshipbetween tuckers 158 and folder plate 156maybe accomplished by means of separate cams 202 and "196. However, ifdesired, a

:single cam having two adjustably' mounted cam tracks can be used. Thistimedcrelationship between tuckers "1'58 and folder plate 156 insuresthatfiap '45 'ismoved into overlapping position on flaps41 and43.

During the return motion of folder plate 156, guide plate 178moves againtowards mandrel 14, in the direc- "tion indicated by the arrow inFigure'11 and stops when its half-rounded side edge 179 is aligned with apack- "age guide 146. Pusher 'plate 145' which up to this moment servedas a guide and support of the package during the final tucking andfolding operation, through the action of guide/plate 1'38 andpushes thepackage 'into the package delivery chutaformed by guide rails 146 andbottom plate 148. While entering the delivery "chute, end flap 47 passesunderthe half rounded side edge 179 of plate 178 and is smoothly foldeddown over the previously folded end flap 45 to complete the bottom wallof the package.

Thus there is provided a cardboard carton containing a packaged linerand packaged articles and provided with a freely movable slide'closure'foran "access opening at an "upper corner of the carton.

What we claim is: t1. Ina packaging machine having a series of hollow tothe top of one of said sidepanels for forming a slide closure for saidcarton, said apparatus comprising means for folding said blank about thegirth of said mandrel,

means for folding said top flaps and closure flap to form said top wall,means for severing said closure flap from said side panel whereby saidcarton is provided with a freely slidable closure, and means operativeafter a mandrel supporting a partially formed-carton has been moved'from'said filling stationfor folding the bottom end flaps to form acompleted carton.

2. In a packaging machine having a plurality of hollow travellingmandrels, apparatus for forming a carton "about each of said mandrels,said cartons being formed from'a blank having front and rear panelshingedly connected to an intermediate side panel, bottom end flaps"hingedly connected to said front, rear and side panels for forming abottom wallfor said carton, said side panel having a closure flapconnected to the top edge thereof along a line of separation, saidclosure flap having a pair of lateral operating'ears, said front andrear walls each having a slot extending along the top edge thereof andadapted-to receive and guide said ears, said front and rear walls havingcover flaps hingedly connected thereto and dimensioned to provide anaccess opening at an upper corner of' said carton, said apparatuscomprising means for folding said blank aboutthe girth of saidfoil-wrapped I mandrel, a tucking device for tucking said closure flapinto position against the edge of said mandrel and substantially atright angles with the longitudinal axis of said mandrel, said ears ofsaid closure flap being in- .serted thereby into said guide slots ofsaid front and rear panels, folders for folding said cover flaps oversaid closure flap to form a topwall of said carton, means for severingsaid'closure flap from said side panel whereby said carton is providedwith a freely s-lidable closure,

and folding and tucking members for forming said bottom flaps of saidblank into said bottom wall to J complete said carton.

3. In a packaging machine having a series of hollow travelling mandrels,apparatus for forming cartonsthereabout, said carton provided with aslide closure and formed from a blank having a front panel, a first sidepanel, a rear panel, and a second side panel, each of said panels havinga bottomclosure flap extending therefrom, said front and rear panelshaving cover flaps hingedly connected thereto, said cover flaps beingdimensioned to provide an access opening for said carton, said firstside panel having an elongated extension extending between said coverflaps and being connected to said first side panel by a line ofseparation, said extension being-provided with a pair of guidesextending transversely therefrom, said blank being provided with a pairof slots in the front and rear panels thereof for receiving said guides,said'second side panel being provided with a 'top flap hingedlyconnected thereto for supporting said extension, said apparatuscomprising means for folding said blank aboutthe girth of said mandrel,means for tucking said top flap into position against the edge of saidmandrel, means for tucking said extension into position overlying saidtop flap against the edge of said mandrel, said first-named tuckingmeans being provided with devices for facilitating the insertion of saidguides on said extension into their associated receiving slots in saidfront and rear panels, means for folding said cover flaps into positionoverlying said top flap and said extension to form the top wall of saidcarton, a knife, means mounting said knife for movement into and out ofthe open end of said mandrel, means for operating said knife toseversaid extension from said first side panel whereby said carton isprovided with a freely slidable closure having operating guidesextending through said slots, means for ejecting I said partially formedcarton from about its associated mandrel, and folding and tuckingmembers for forming said bottom closure flap of said blank into saidbottom wall of said carton.

4. The invention as defined in claim 3 wherein said devices on saidfirst-named tucking means include lateral extensions for spreading saidcover flaps Widely apart whereby said guides on said elongated extensioncan be inserted into their associated receiving slots without damage.

5. The invention as defined in claim 3 including a spring member, meansmounting saidspring member on said extension tucking means forengagement with said elongated extension whereby said spring member isoperative to ensure positive tucking of said elongated extensionregardless of the position of said blank onsaid mandrel.

6. In a cigarette packaging machine having a conveyor 7 provided with aplurality of equidistantly-spaced hollow traveling mandrels on whichcigarette packages are formed, said conveyor being adapted for indexedmovement to and from a plurality of operating stations including acigarette filling station, apparatus for forming an outer wrapper foreach of said packages, said wrapper being provided with a slide closureand formed from a paperboard blank having integrally connected front,rear and side panels and top and bottom flaps for 'forming top andbottom Walls of said wrapper, said blank being provided with a closureflap connected to the top of one of said side panels for forming a slideclosure for'said formed carton and the top flaps of said front and rearpanels being dimensioned to provide an access opening for said Wrapper,said apparatus comprising means for folding said blank about the girthof a mandrel, means for folding said top flaps and closure flap to formsaid top wall, means for severing said closure flap from said side panelwhereby said carton is provided with a freely slidable'closure and meansoperative after a mandrel having a wrapper partially formed thereabouthas been moved away from said cigarette filling station for folding saidbottom flaps of said blank to form a completed wrapper.

7. The invention as defined in claim 6 including operat ing earsextending laterally from said I ing slots provided in said front andrear panels adjacent closure flap, guidthe top flaps thereof forreceiving and guiding said operating ears, and means for effecting theinsertion of said cars into said slots as said closure flap and topflaps are folded to form said top wall.

8. In a cigarette packaging machine having a series of traveling boxshaped supports, apparatus for forming an outer wrapper for each of saidpackages, said wrapper provided with a slide closure and formed from arelatively stiflf paperboard blank having integrally connected front,rear and side panels and top and bottom flaps for forming top and bottomwalls of said wrapper, said blank being provided with a closure flapconnected to the top of one of said side panels for forming said slideclosure, the top flaps of said front and rear panels being dimensionedto provide an access opening for said wrapper, said closure flap havingoperating ears extending laterally therefrom and said front and rearpanels provided with elongated apertures adjacent the top flaps thereoffor receiving and guiding said operating ears,

said apparatus comprising means for forming said blank about the girthof said traveling support, a tucking device for tucking said closureflap into position against the end of said support, said tucking devicebeing operative to insert said operating cars into said guidingapertures, folders for folding said top flaps into overlayingrelationship on said closure flap to form the top wall of said wrapper,means for severing said closure flap from said side panel whereby saidwrapper is provided with a freely slidable closure, and tucking andfolding members for forrnnig said bottom flaps of said wrapper into saidbottom wall to complete said wrapper.

9. in a packaging machine having a series of moving block-shapedsupports, apparatus for forming a carton about said supports, saidcarton being provided with a slide closure and formed from a paperboardblank having a front panel, a first side panel, a rear panel and asecond side panel, each of said panels having a bottom closure flapextending therefrom, said front and rear panels having top cover flapsdimensioned to provide an access opening at one end of said carton, saidfirst side panel having a closure flap connected thereto for forming aslide closure for said access opening of said carton, said second sidepanel having a top flap connected thereto for supporting said slideclosure, said closure flap having operating ears extending laterallytherefrom, and said front and rear panels provided with elongatedapertures adjacent the cover flaps thereof for receiving and guidingsaid operating cars, said apparatus comprising means for forming a blankabout the girth of each of said moving supports, a tucker for tuckingsaid top support flap of said second side panel into position againstthe end of said support, another tucker for tucking said closure flapinto overlapping relationship with said top support flap, means forfolding said cover flaps into overlapping position on said closure flapto form the top wall of said carton, means for severing said closureflap from said first side panel whereby said carton is provided with afreely slidable closure, and tucking and folding members for formingsaid bottom flaps of said blank into the bottom wall to complete saidcarton.

10. The invention as defined in claim 9 wherein said first named tuckeris provided with lateral extensions for. bending said cover flapsoutwardly to insure the entry of said ears of said closure flap intosaid receiving and guiding apertures.

11. The invention as defined in claim 9 wherein said means for severingsaid closure flap from said first side panel includes a knife, meansmounting said knife for movement into and out of operating positionagainst said closure flap and means for operating said knife to seversaid flap from said first side panel.

12. The invention as defined in claim 9 wherein said 'last'named tuckingand folding members include a pair of spaced supports, means forejecting a partially com pleted carton from about its associated movingsupport 1 and into position between said spaced supports, a pair oftuckers, means rotatably supporting said tuckers adjacent each side ofthe open endof said carton for tucking opposed bottom side closure flapsof said blank, the operative tucking portions of said tuckers beingprovided with recesses therein, a folder device, means mounting saidfolder device at the ends of said spaced supports for movement against afirst bottom closure flap of said blank for folding down said firstbottom closure flap over said tucks to form the inner bottom flap ofsaid carton,

operating means for operating said tuckers and said folder device intimed relationship, with the recesses in said tucker faces accommodatingthe free passage of the operative folding portions of said folder devicetherepast whereby said tucks are maintained in position adjacent thebottom of said carton as said inner bottom flap is folded into overlyingposition thereagainst and means for folding the second bottom closureflap of said blank into position over said inner bottom flap to form theouter bottom flaps, completing said carton.

13. The combination with a support for a package having a tubularwrapper having one end closed and foldable flaps projecting from itsother end, of a pair of tuckers, means rotatably supporting said tuckersadjacent each side of said projecting tubular portion for tucking saidtubular wrapper portion, said operative tucking portions of said tuckersbeing provided with recessed sections, a folder movable against aportion of said projecting wrapper for folding down said portion inoverlying relationship with said tucks and operating means for operatingsaid tuckers and said folder in timed relationship, with the recesses insaid tucker faces accommodating the free passage of said foldertherepast permitting co-acting movement therebetween whereby said tucksare maintained in tucked position as said portion of wrapper engaged bysaid folder is folded into overlying position against said tucks.

14. The invention as defined in claim 13 wherein said operating meansincludes cam tracks, means connecting one of said cam tracks to saidtuckers for controlling the rotation thereof, means connecting anotherof said cam tracks to said folder for controlling the movement thereof,and means mounting said cam tracks in displaced relationship relative toeach other for effecting the timed movement of said tuckers and folder.

15. The invention as defined in claim 14 wherein said cam track mountingmeans is adapted to vary the relative displacement between said camtracks whereby the co-acting movement of said tuckers and folder isselectively controlled.

16. The combination with a support for a package having a wrapperenclosing its girth and having a tubular portion projecting from one endthereof, of a pair of substantially L-shaped tuckers, means rotatablysupporting said tuckers at the end of said support and adjacent eachside of said projecting tubular portion for tucking said tubular wrapperportion, a folder, means mounting said folder for movement against aportion of said projecting wrapper for folding down said portion inoverlying relationship with said tucks, said folder provided withoperative spaced folding extensions, and operating means for operatingsaid tuckers and said folder in timed relationship With the recessedportions of said L-sha-ped tuckers accommodating the free passage of thefolding extensions of said folder, permitting co-acting movementtherebetween, whereby said tucks are maintained in tucked position assaid portion of wrapper engaged by said folder is folded into overlyingposition upon said tucks, said operating means including cam tracks,means connecting one of said cam tracks to said tuckers for controllingthe rotation thereof, means connecting another of said cam relative toeach other for effecting the timed movement of said tuckers and folder.

17. The invention as defined in claim 16 wherein said folder is adaptedfor reciprocating movement in a plane substantially at right angles withthe longitudinal axis of said package and said tuckers are rotated in aplane transverse to the plane of folder movement.

18. The invention as defined in claim 16 wherein said cam track mountingmeans is adapted to vary the relative displacement between said camtracks whereby the amount of co-acting movement of said tuckers andfolder is selectively controlled.

19. The invention as defined in claim 9 wherein said tucker for tuckingsaid closure flap includes a resilient 14 member, means mounting saidresilient member on said closure flap tucker unit for engagement withsaid closure flap whereby said resilient member is operative to ensurepositive folding of said closure flap regardless of the posi- ReferencesCited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,726,499 Fischeret a1 Dec. 13, 1955

